At least two other senior members of the Irish Bishops Conference, apart from Cardinal Sean Brady, have been directly involved with secret church inquiries into allegations of sexual abuse about a serving priest.The current bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr William Lee, confirmed he had conducted interviews with individuals alleging child sexual abuse as part of a church or canonical inquiry on five occasions between December 1993 and April 1996.
The gardaí were notified of all allegations, and the priest was removed from ministry and is subject to regular contact, his spokesman said.
Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary said there had been one canonical inquiry in the archdiocese in recent years, which related to a priest of the diocese.
This followed an investigation by the civil authorities which did not lead to a prosecution.
But although the priest was found guilty of breaking canon law after the initial hearing, he automatically appealed this to Rome and this decision was overturned.
As a result, no canonical disciplinary action was taken.
He remains a priest but is not in ministry.
"Prior to being bishop, [Archbishop Neary] was not involved in any church/canonical inquiries relating to allegations of child abuse," the spokesman added.
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